Category Archives: Investments
When Money Buys Stress, not Happiness
Many people work their entire lives to accumulate a nest egg of savings for retirement. Others find financial success mid-career. Either way, accumulating money can be surprising in one respect: wealth often leads to stress. Why? Because it can be extremely stressful to realize that the fruits of your entire life’s work can be… Read More »
The Big Short: What is Short Selling Anyway?
The recent release of the movie-version of the best-selling book, The Big Short, reminds us of the risky bets that some investors take when they anticipate the stock market, a particular industry, or a certain stock will decline in value. In addition to the movie being wildly entertaining, it does an excellent of job… Read More »
Exchange-Traded Notes: Know Before You Invest
An exchange-traded note, frequently referred to as an ETN, is an unsecured debt obligation of an issuer, typically a financial institution. Unlike a traditional corporate bond that pays a stated rate of interest, the return on an ETN is based upon the performance of a specified index or benchmark such as a broad-based securities… Read More »
Bitcoin: What is it, and why should you care?
Bitcoin is a digital, electronic currency invented in 2008 by someone using the alias Satoshi Nakamoto. The true identity of the inventor remains a mystery today. Unlike other world currencies, bitcoins are not issued by central banks or governments; instead, they are “mined” by users. Mining involves solving puzzles to add transactions to the… Read More »
Variable Annuities – Insurance Products or Investments?
Actually, they’re both. Variable annuities are long-term investment products with insurance features. Variable annuities differ from traditional insurance products in important ways. First and foremost, variable annuities are securities registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission and the sale of variable annuities is regulated by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA). An annuity is… Read More »
Real Advisor or Robo-Advisor?
In our technologically driven society, there is less and less that can’t be done through a mobile application or website. Society is becoming accustomed to instant 24/7 access to everything from streaming movies to shopping to playing games to banking and everything in between. So the rising popularity of automated investment tools like online… Read More »
How Liquid are Your Bonds?
Recent turmoil in the financial markets may have you considering whether to sell or ride things out. If your portfolio contains individual bonds, you should factor in the liquidity of the bonds you hold when making that decision. Liquidity describes the ease with which a security or other asset can be bought or sold… Read More »
SEC Approves Rule to Help Non-Traded REIT Investors
The Securities and Exchange Commission has approved the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority’s (“FINRA”) proposed revisions to NASD Rule 2340 regarding per share estimated valuations of unlisted REITs held by customers. FINRA first submitted the proposed rule changes in January 2014. This week the SEC announced its approval of the proposed rule changes. No effective… Read More »
FINRA Issues Guidance to Investors on How to Achieve Greater Financial Security
The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority recently published a news release offering general financial guidance to the investing public. The FINRA Investor Education Foundation issued Five Do’s and Don’ts That Can Help You Achieve Greater Financial Security. According to its website, the FINRA Investor Education Foundation was established in 2003 and supports innovative research and… Read More »
S&P Downgrades Puerto Rico Municipal Bonds to Junk Status
In a long expected move, Standard & Poor’s (“S&P”) announced that it has downgraded general obligation municipal bonds issued by Puerto Rico to speculative grade or junk status. Many are now expecting a similar credit downgrade by ratings services Fitch and Moody’s. In its announcement, S&P stated that its decision is partially based on… Read More »